U.S. patent application number 12/332454 was filed with the patent office on 2009-06-11 for movable roof for a passenger vehicle.
This patent application is currently assigned to MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH. Invention is credited to Jan Just, Frank Zehnder.
Application Number | 20090146464 12/332454 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40679817 |
Filed Date | 2009-06-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090146464 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zehnder; Frank ; et
al. |
June 11, 2009 |
MOVABLE ROOF FOR A PASSENGER VEHICLE
Abstract
A roof assembly includes a roof having a roof frame with front,
center, and rear sections, and a lever assembly. The lever assembly
includes three levers which are respectively linked to three swivel
axes on the rear section such that the roof is movable between a
closed position and an opened position. The first lever connects
the rear section at the first axis to a support such that the rear
section is movable about the first axis; the second lever connects
the rear section at the second axis to the center section such that
the center section is movable about the second axis; and the third
lever connects the rear section at the third axis to the front
section such that the front section is movable about the third
axis. The levers are adjacently situated in a transverse direction
with the second lever being between the first and third levers.
Inventors: |
Zehnder; Frank; (Hemmingen,
DE) ; Just; Jan; (Bloomfield Hills, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BROOKS KUSHMAN P.C.
1000 TOWN CENTER, TWENTY-SECOND FLOOR
SOUTHFIELD
MI
48075
US
|
Assignee: |
MAGNA CAR TOP SYSTEMS GMBH
Bietigheim-Bissingen
DE
|
Family ID: |
40679817 |
Appl. No.: |
12/332454 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
296/216.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60J 7/1265
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
296/216.01 |
International
Class: |
B60J 7/043 20060101
B60J007/043 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2007 |
DE |
10 2007 059 572.9 |
Claims
1. A roof assembly comprising: a roof having a roof frame provided
with a front frame section, a center frame section, and a rear
frame section; and a lever assembly including first, second, and
third swivel axes on the rear frame section, the lever assembly
further including first, second, and third lever elements which are
respectively linked to the first, second, and third swivel axes for
movably connecting the frame sections to one another such that the
roof is movable between a closed position in which the frame
sections extend in a curved manner along a roof line on a given
side and an opened position in which the frame sections are aligned
side-by-side next to one another beneath the roof line; wherein the
first lever element connects the rear frame section at the first
swivel axis to a fixed support such that the rear frame section is
movable about the first swivel axis; wherein the second lever
element connects the rear frame section at the second swivel axis
to the center frame section such that the center frame section is
movable about the second swivel axis; wherein the third lever
element connects the rear frame section at the third swivel axis to
the front frame section such that the front frame section is
movable about the third swivel axis; wherein the swivel axes extend
parallel to a transverse axis and the lever elements are adjacently
situated relative to the transverse axis such that the second lever
element is between the first and third lever elements relative to
the transverse axis, the first lever element is closest to the
given side relative to the transverse axis, and the third lever
element is farthest from the given side relative to the transverse
axis.
2. The roof assembly of claim 1 wherein: the first lever element
includes a fulcrum bracket and a tension bracket both linked to the
first swivel axis.
3. The roof assembly of claim 2 wherein: the fulcrum bracket is
mounted to the fixed support.
4. The roof assembly of claim 3 wherein: the second lever element
includes a main guide rod and a first control rod which are linked
to the second swivel axis.
5. The roof assembly of claim 4 wherein: the third lever element
includes second and third control rods which are linked to third
swivel axis.
6. The roof assembly of claim 5 wherein: the main guide rod is
connected at one end to the center frame section and is connected
at another end to a drive rod which is movably connected to the
fixed support.
7. The roof assembly of claim 5 wherein: the main guide rod
includes first and second lever arms pivotable about the second
swivel axis with first lever arm connected to the front frame
section and the second lever arm connected to a drive rod which is
movably connected to the fixed support.
8. The roof assembly of claim 7 wherein: the fulcrum bracket is
further linked to the fixed support at the point where the drive
rod is movably connected to the fixed support.
9. The roof assembly of claim 5 wherein: the first control rod is
mechanically linked to a bow.
10. The roof assembly of claim 9 wherein: the bow is linked to the
fulcrum bracket.
11. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a passenger
compartment and a rear storage compartment, the vehicle body
further having a pair of laterally spaced apart side windows on
respective sides of the passenger compartment; a roof having a pair
of laterally spaced apart roof frames, each roof frame having
front, center, and rear frame sections; and a pair of lever
assemblies respectively associated with the roof frames, each lever
assembly having first, second, and third swivel axes on the rear
frame section of the associated roof frame, each lever assembly
further including first, second, and third lever elements which are
respectively linked to the first, second, and third swivel axes for
movably connecting the frame sections of the associated roof frame
to one another and to the vehicle body such that the roof is
movable between a closed position in which the roof spans the
passenger compartment with the frame sections of each roof frame
extending in a curved manner along the side windows on respective
sides of the passenger compartment and an opened position in which
the roof and the lever assemblies are stored within the storage
compartment; wherein each first lever element connects the rear
frame section of the associated roof frame at the first swivel axis
to the vehicle body such that the rear frame section is movable
about the first swivel axis, each second lever element connects the
rear frame section of the associated roof frame at the second
swivel axis to the center frame section of the associated roof
frame such that the center frame section of the associated roof
frame is movable about the second swivel axis, and each third lever
element connects the rear frame section of the associated roof
frame at the third swivel axis to the front frame section of the
associated roof frame such that the front frame section of the
associated roof frame is movable about the third swivel axis;
wherein the swivel axes of each lever assembly extend parallel to a
transverse axis and the lever elements of each lever assembly are
adjacently situated relative to the transverse axis such that for
each lever assembly the second lever element is between the first
and third lever elements relative to the transverse axis, the first
lever element is closest to a side of the passenger compartment
relative to the transverse axis, and the third lever element is
farthest from the side of the passenger compartment relative to the
transverse axis.
12. A vehicle comprising: a vehicle body having a passenger
compartment and a rear storage compartment; a roof having a roof
frame provided with front, center, and rear frame sections; and a
lever assembly having first, second, and third swivel axes on the
rear frame section, the lever assembly including first, second, and
third lever elements which are respectively linked to the first,
second, and third swivel axes for movably connecting the frame
sections to one another and to the vehicle body such that the roof
is movable between a closed position in which the roof spans the
passenger compartment with the frame sections extending in a curved
manner along a side of the passenger compartment and an opened
position in which the roof is stored within the storage
compartment; wherein the first lever element connects the rear
frame section at the first swivel axis to the vehicle body such
that the rear frame section is movable about the first swivel axis,
the second lever element connects the rear frame section at the
second swivel axis to the center frame section such that the center
frame section is movable about the second swivel axis, and the
third lever element connects the rear frame section at the third
swivel axis to the front frame section such that the front frame
section is movable about the third swivel axis; wherein the swivel
axes extend parallel to a transverse axis and the lever elements
are adjacently situated relative to the transverse axis such that
the second lever element is between the first and third lever
elements relative to the transverse axis, the first lever element
is closest to the side of the passenger compartment relative to the
transverse axis, and the third lever element is farthest from the
side of the passenger compartment relative to the transverse
axis.
13. The vehicle of claim 12 wherein: the first lever element
includes a fulcrum bracket and a tension bracket both linked to the
first swivel axis, wherein the fulcrum bracket is mounted to the
vehicle body.
14. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein: the second lever element
includes a main guide rod and a first control rod which are linked
to the second swivel axis.
15. The vehicle of claim 14 wherein: the third lever element
includes second and third control rods which are linked to third
swivel axis.
16. The vehicle of claim 15 wherein: the main guide rod is
connected at one end to the center frame section and is connected
at another end to a drive rod which is movably connected to the
vehicle body.
17. The vehicle of claim 15 wherein: the main guide rod includes
first and second lever arms pivotable about the second swivel axis
with first lever arm connected to the front frame section and the
second lever arm connected to a drive rod which is movably
connected to the vehicle body.
18. The vehicle of claim 17 wherein: the fulcrum bracket is further
linked to the fixed support at the point where the drive rod is
movably connected to the vehicle body.
19. The vehicle of claim 15 wherein: the first control rod is
mechanically linked to a bow.
20. The vehicle of claim 19 wherein: the bow is linked to the
fulcrum bracket.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35
U.S.C. .sctn. 119(a)-(d) to DE 10 2007 059 572.9, filed Dec. 11,
2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to movable roofs for
vehicles.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] GB 683 613 describes a movable roof having a pair of
laterally spaced apart roof frames. Each roof frame has front,
center, and rear frame sections which adjoin a side window of a
vehicle and are connected to one another by control levers of a
lever assembly.
[0006] EP 0 819 558 B1 describes a movable roof having a pair of
laterally spaced apart roof frames. Each roof frame has front,
center, and rear frame sections. The rear frame section is designed
as a main pillar and is rotatably mounted on a fixed bearing of a
vehicle. A control lever acts between the front and center frame
sections, respectively, and the rear frame section. A steering arm,
which is a component of a kinematic chain, engages the rear frame
section.
[0007] DE 44 43 405 A1 (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,671,966)
describes a drive apparatus for a foldable roof having a main
pillar fastened to a vehicle body. A center frame section is
articulately connected to the main pillar, and the main pillar and
a front frame section cooperate by the interconnection of control
levers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] An object of the present invention is a roof assembly for a
vehicle in which the roof assembly includes a roof and a lever
assembly for enabling the roof to move between closed and opened
positions in which the lever assembly has a simple design and
functions well in both of the closed and opened positions with
spatially favorable conditions.
[0009] In carrying out the above object and other objects, the
present invention provides a roof assembly. The roof assembly
includes a roof and a lever assembly. The roof has a roof frame
provided with a front frame section, a center frame section, and a
rear frame section. The lever assembly includes first, second, and
third swivel axes on the rear frame section. The lever assembly
further includes first, second, and third lever elements which are
respectively linked to the first, second, and third swivel axes for
movably connecting the frame sections to one another such that the
roof is movable between a closed position in which the frame
sections extend in a curved manner along a roof line on a given
side and an opened position in which the frame sections are aligned
side-by-side next to one another beneath the roof line. The first
lever element connects the rear frame section at the first swivel
axis to a fixed support such that the rear frame section is movable
about the first swivel axis. The second lever element connects the
rear frame section at the second swivel axis to the center frame
section such that the center frame section is movable about the
second swivel axis. The third lever element connects the rear frame
section at the third swivel axis to the front frame section such
that the front frame section is movable about the third swivel
axis. The swivel axes extend parallel to a transverse axis and the
lever elements are adjacently situated relative to the transverse
axis such that the second lever element is between the first and
third lever elements relative to the transverse axis, the first
lever element is closest to the given side relative to the
transverse axis, and the third lever element is farthest from the
given side relative to the transverse axis.
[0010] Further, in carrying out the above object and other objects,
the present invention provides a vehicle having a roof assembly
such as the roof assembly described above.
[0011] A roof assembly in accordance with embodiments of the
present invention includes a roof having a pair of laterally spaced
apart roof frames. The roof frames are to adjoin respective side
windows of a vehicle. Each roof frame includes a front frame
section, a center frame section, and a rear frame section. The roof
assembly further includes a lever assembly for each of the roof
frames. The lever assemblies cooperate with the roof frames to
enable the roof to move between a closed position, in which the
roof is to span a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and an
opened position, in which the roof is to be folded to be stored in
a rear storage compartment of the vehicle. Advantageously, each
lever assembly includes three swivel axes. The swivel axes set
standards in movable roof technology as the swivel axes may be
easily implemented in a vehicle having a movable roof and as the
swivel axes require less range of motion and storage space for the
corresponding lever assembly. Each lever assembly includes
relatively less complicated guide rods which thereby contributes to
more advantageous manufacture of the roof. This approach further
allows for a reduction in the number of fastening elements thereby
optimizing the level of effort for installing the roof.
[0012] The above features, and other features and advantages of the
present invention as readily apparent from the following detailed
descriptions thereof when taken in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates an exterior side view of a roof assembly
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with the
roof assembly being in a closed position in which the roof of the
roof assembly spans a passenger compartment of a vehicle;
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates an interior side view of the roof
assembly with the roof assembly being in the closed position;
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates an interior side view of the roof
assembly with the roof assembly being in an intermediate position
between the closed position and an opened position; and
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates an oblique interior side view of the roof
assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, a roof assembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown.
The roof assembly includes a movable (i.e., foldable) roof 8 having
a roof cover Vb. Roof 8 further includes a rear window 9. Roof 8
may be a soft-top roof or a hard shell (i.e., hard top) roof.
[0018] The roof assembly is installed on a vehicle 1. Vehicle 1
includes a vehicle body 2 having a windshield frame 3 and a pair of
side doors 4. Each side door 4 includes a side window 5. Vehicle 1
includes a passenger compartment 11 which is partially between side
doors 4 and side windows 5. Vehicle 1 includes a vehicle base body
7 having a rear storage compartment 12. Storage compartment 12 may
be closed and opened by an associated compartment cover 6.
[0019] Roof 8 is movable between a closed position Schst and an
opened position. In the closed position Schst (shown in FIGS. 1 and
2), roof 8 spans passenger compartment 11. In the opened position,
the roof 8 is collapsed and stored in storage compartment 12.
[0020] Roof 8 includes a pair of laterally spaced apart movable
roof frames. The roof frames are on respective longitudinally
extending sides of roof 8. (One roof side Db is shown.) The roof
frames include the same components as one another and, thus, only
one roof frame 13 is shown in the drawings and described in greater
detail herein. Roof frame 13 directly or indirectly supports roof
cover Vb. Roof frame 13 is formed by a front frame section 14, a
center frame section 15, and a rear frame section 16 (as viewed in
the direction of forward vehicle travel A). Front frame section 14
and center frame section 15 abut one another at a front joint 17.
Center frame section 15 and rear frame section 16 abut one another
at a rear joint 18. Frame sections 14, 15, 16 are situated along a
curved roof side line Dsl on a respective longitudinally extending
side of roof 8. Roof side line Dsl extends, opposite the direction
of forward vehicle travel A, between an upper end region 19 of
windshield frame 3 and a belt line Gl approximately in the region
of a rear door boundary 20. The belt line Gl is oriented
essentially horizontally and separates vehicle base body 7 from
roof side Db. Roof side line Dsl has a first relatively flat curved
region 21 which adjoins a second relatively narrow curved region
22. Second curved region 22 is shaped such that a third curved
region 23 abuts belt line GI at an essentially obtuse or right
angle.
[0021] The roof assembly further includes a respective lever
assembly for the roof frames. The lever assemblies include the same
components as one another and, thus, only one lever assembly 24 is
shown in the drawings and described in greater detail herein. Lever
assembly 24 is associated with roof frame 13. Lever assembly 24
movably connects roof frame 13 to vehicle 1 to enable roof 8 to
move between the closed and opened positions. In particular, lever
assembly 24 is interconnected with frame sections 14, 15, 16 to
enable the frame sections to move between the closed and opened
positions. To this end, lever assembly 24 includes a first swivel
axis Schwa I, a second swivel axis Schwa II, and a third swivel
axis Schwa III. The swivel axes Schwa I, II, III are on rear frame
section 16.
[0022] Lever assembly 24 includes lever elements which are
respectively linked to the swivel axes Schwa I, II, and III. In
particular, a first lever element is linked to first swivel axis
Schwa I; a second lever element is linked to second swivel axis
Schwa II; and a third lever element is linked to third swivel axis
Schwa III. The lever elements are situated at different positions
in the transverse vehicle direction B-B (shown in FIG. 4) with the
second lever element being between the first and third lever
elements along the transverse vehicle direction B-B and the third
lever element being closest to passenger compartment 11 along the
transverse vehicle direction B-B.
[0023] The first lever element includes a fulcrum bracket 25 and a
tension bracket 26. Fulcrum bracket 25 is rigidly mounted to
vehicle body 2. Fulcrum bracket 25 and tension bracket 26 are
linked to first swivel axis Schwa I on rear frame section 16.
[0024] The second lever element includes a main guide rod 27 and a
first control rod 28. Main guide rod 27 and first control rod 28
are linked to second swivel axis Schwa II on rear frame section 16.
Main guide rod 27 is connected at one end 31 to center frame
section 15 and is connected at another end 32 to an end 36 of a
drive rod 33. As such, starting from second swivel axis Schwa II,
main guide rod 27 is a two-armed lever having a first lever arm
(between second swivel axis Schwa II and end 31) and a second lever
arm (between second swivel axis Schwa II and end 32). Drive rod 33
is connected at another end 37 to fulcrum bracket 25.
[0025] The third lever element includes a second control rod 29 and
a third control rod 30. Control rods 29, 30 are linked to third
swivel axis Schwa III on rear frame section 16.
[0026] First control rod 28 is mechanically linked to a bow 38. Bow
38 is in the form of a corner bow and has a support region 39
spanning roof cover Vb. Bow 38 is linked to fulcrum bracket 25 and
extends obliquely from bottom to top, opposite the direction of
forward vehicle travel A, from fulcrum bracket 25 to roof cover
Vb.
[0027] While embodiments of the present invention have been
illustrated and described, it is not intended that these
embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the
present invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are
words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood
that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
* * * * *